Model 48 birthday and questions

[boone3380]

I purchased a model 48 in 97% condition. It hasn't been reblued or altered in anyway that my gunsmith or myself can tell. It's a 48 no dash, which by SCSW should have been made in 1959. The serial number is 5K91xxx, SCSW says its birthday should be in 1974. Also the gun is a three screw. The numbers just don't add up. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Clay

[Rigmover]

If the Serial is what you say it is a 1974 model. The 48 no dash & 48-1 has the trigger guard screw.

[Old cop]

Email S&W and they will give you the DOB.

[stroker]

Boone3380:
I also have a Model 48 no dash that I purchased new with the aux. 22 L.R. cylinder in 1974 serial number 5K913xx. Is it possible S & W used old stock frames in later years?

[kennethg]

I purchased a 48-2 new in January of 1975. Serial number 6K4XXX. Checking the serial number chart shows that is was numbered in 1974. The model 48 section in the SCSW book indicates it should be a 48-3. There have been several model 48 serial number/model number (-2, -3, etc) anomalies posted on this forum before. The model 48 seems more prone to this than other models I have read about on this forum.

[Nframe_is_no1]

I have noticed this also. I purchased a like new 4" model 48-2 a couple of weeks ago (see my earlier post). The serial number dated it to 1972. The SCSW says they were up to the 48-3 by then, indicating mine, like kennethg's, should also be a -3. I would tend to agree with stroker that perhaps they were using up old stock. Maybe the model 48 was a slow seller, since they seem very uncommon to me. In my 12 years of gun buying since I turned 21, I have only seen 2 other model 48s for sale in person.

[boone3380]

Thanks, for the help. I will contact Smith for a birthday. Just another S&W oddity, that makes these pistols so fun to collect.